by Laura Conaway

Next in the line to seek government intervention: America's steel industry. The nation's steel mills stand to benefit from the incoming Obama administration's stimulus package, especially if that package includes the promised infrastructure upgrades. Industry leaders told the New York Times they want a "buy America" clause in "every provision."

In the more locally minded Wheeling, W.V., Intelligencer, the industry's request sounds more starkly protectionist. What they want is "American-made only," one United Steelworkers union official said. John Saunders told the paper that the fate of Wheeling businesses is at stake.

"We can't put a stimulus package in that will create opportunity for imports," he said. "If we could get this language, it could be the biggest shot in the arm we've had in years for Wheeling Nisshin and Wheeling Corrugating."